Game of the Century a Big Bust
January 17, 2013

In the century’s most significant college basketball game in the state, the University of Minnesota men’s basketball team performed as it did not realize the importance of the occasion.

The Gophers raced to a 6-2 lead over the Michigan Wolverines at Williams Arena but slipped into a funk against the talented visitors and never recovered. Sporting a trio of future All-Americans, Michigan proceeded to toy with the Gophers and led at halftime by 36-30.

In the second half, each Minnesota charge was blunted by the efforts of Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke, and in Glenn Robinson III. Soon it was the Wolverines taking a 56-37 advantage. Late in the period a dunk by Rodney Williams drew the Gophers to within 77-70, but that was all. Michigan won 83-75.

When Michigan scores 80 or more points, the Wolverines are 27-0 under coach John Beilein.

“We set the tone early with good defense,” Beilein said after the game. “Defensive intensity won the game for us.” Indeed, the Gophers were perplexed by the shifting Michigan defense whether it was man-to-man, 1-3-1, or 2-3.

A shaken Tubby Smith apologized for his team’s effort. “I’m disappointed,” he said. “Disappointed that we didn’t raise our level of play. We couldn’t sustain drives. We didn’t do a good job of defending – that’s two games in a row for us.” (Minnesota lost to Indiana the previous Saturday.)

“We had 10 turnovers in the second half alone,” he lamented. “We weren’t smart in taking care of the ball. Without our mistakes, it’s a whole different ballgame.” Smith said his team performed poorly in practice, and it carried over into the game.

“Only one of our players [junior guard Austin Hollins] is always ready to play. He’s our hardest worker. The others aren’t even close.”

Hollins finished the game 21 points, including four 3-point baskets.

Hollins is the son of NBA coach Lionel Hollins, who played in the league from 1975-1985 for Portland, Philadelphia, San Diego, Detroit, and Houston and averaged 11.6 points per game.

On the Michigan side, Hardaway is the son of former Wolverine great Tim Hardaway Sr., who played in the NBA for Golden State, Miami, Dallas, Denver, and Indiana. Robinson is the son of Purdue All-American Glenn Robinson II, who toiled for Milwaukee, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and San Antonio, averaging more than 20 points per game.

Young Hardaway led all Wolverine scorers with 21 points. Point guard Trey Burke had 18 points and nine assists. Robinson chipped in with nine points, including a spectacular helicopter dunk.

Michigan entered the Gopher game on the heels of a stunning defeat at Ohio State, which ruined the Wolverines’ perfect season. For the Gophers, it was their third defeat, following losses to Duke and Indiana.

The Michigan loss was the first for Minnesota at Williams Arena. Last night, the Wolverines clearly were the better team.

Back to Main Page